Greetings to all members of EQI! …
Welcome to the September 2023 edition of President’s Chatter
September means: Spring has arrived! Daffodils, snowdrops and blossom! The scents from gardens as I walk around the neighborhood is terrific! I’m busy finishing up the binding on some quilts and also the quilting on others so I can move on to the next project!
For Essendon Quilters Inc. September is a busy month beginning with the Bus Trip to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Ballarat on Saturday, September 9th!….yes! That’s next Saturday!
There are, I think, 23 plus members and guests hopping on board, at 8.30am, outside the Freemason’s Hall, to enjoy being chauffeured around some very nice patchwork and quilting shops and enjoying the gardens of Ballarat as our BYO lunch stop. There will be some nice surprises happening during the day.
Hunting down a particular fabric, looking for a new project, or simply having a nice outing? I’m putting my hand up for all three!
Wish to join in?
It’s not too late. Just contact the committee, via email and you can pay on-line (or on the day if you wish).
September is also an important month for EQI members as at our usual monthly, 3rd Wednesday Gathering, on 20th, is when our AGM will be held.
As far as meetings go, this is the most important one on our calendar! Please attend. Nominate for committee and/or a Valued Volunteer position. Have your say in the future of EQI and make sure EQI has a future.
The old “well, someone else will put up their hand, we always have committee, personal problems etc” is not good enough!
It’s time for members to put up their hands and lend a hand.
Nomination forms, the 2023 AGM Agenda, proxy forms etc are available for perusal on the website, in the member’s area.
The Annual Report will be available at the AGM.
In 2024, EQI will be holding our biennial quilt exhibition, our first exhibition since Covid hit and we will need a sub-committee to run this.
The EQI general committee has two roles: governance and management. Operations, those “daily” issues and jobs that occur are not the general committee’s responsibility. That’s for the members and Valued Volunteers to be responsible for.
Our bi-ennialQuilt-In, in combination with the Vic Quilters Winter Gathering was held on Saturday, August 26th. At the Freemason’s Hall.
What a great day! 90 fellow patch workers and quilters from all over Victoria attended.
Rae Telfer talked about her quilting journey and showed the audience her quilts from her beginnings, right up to her present day projects.
It was inspiring.
Also, the traders: Tranquility Crafts, Can-Do Books, Black Forest Quilting, Moonee Ponds Sewing Centre and the Very Snuggly Stash table were very busy, with lots of buying happening.
The morning and afternoon tea table was a tremendous hit with visitors positively commenting on both the variety and amount of goodies available.
Our fundraising activities, including “Guess the Number of Squares”, an Emma Jean Jansen designed raffle quilt (Balderdash-won by Jill Holland!) and our “10 tickets for $10 for 10 bags”, were a great success.
Not to mention, the Scissor Man, who sharpened everything from embroidery scissors to garden shears!
At last count, I believe EQI has made a profit of over $700 from the day.
No activity, that is as big as this day organizes itself!
I really would like to thank my committee; Anita, Glenda, Hiam and Robyn for the extra time needed for the planning, and, also all the EQI members who both helped on the Friday to set up the hall and those who attended on Saturday and volunteered their time on the roster.
Big thank you!
October is the month that EQI heads off to Castlemaine for our annual Retreat. It is held at The Castle Motel, 1 Duke St. Castlemaine, where we have exclusive use of the large conference room and facilities. You can bring your sewing machines and hand stitching. It will be held from Thursday, October 19th to Monday 23rd. You can come for the 4 night/5 days or your choice of how many night/days you wish to retreat!
Personally, getting away for 4 nights/5 days to stitch, shop, eat and have the odd glass of wine is my mini holiday heaven! The only thing members have to do is book your room at The Castle Motel (phone: 54722433) I suggest you book your room ASAP as it is a popular place to stay when visiting Castlemaine. Members and Guests are invited.
As I am the V.V. coordinator of the Retreat, please let me know if interested, you have booked or have any questions. More details to come!
This may be the last year that this event is offered if more members and guests do not sign up.
The Christmas Challenge has been announced, “Make a Christmas Decoration to Hang on the EQI Christmas Tree”. What a fun, creative challenge!
I will catch up with everyone on Wednesday, September 20th and Saturday, September 24th.
Kerry Roe
President.
Essendon Quilters Inc.
I wish to thank the members who helped make the beautiful Emma Jean Jansen designed quilt I was lucky enough to win at the Quilt In.